Nagila Nursery

Nagila, which means “rejoice,” is the excellent and highly praised nursery of Edgware & Hendon Reform Synagogue. We offer a safe, secure and stimulating setting in which pre-school children are free to develop to their full potential in a friendly and nurturing Jewish environment. The school is purpose built with its own secure outdoor play area, which is used daily and gives the children space to move and learn.

• Children at Nagila learn through play. There is a wide range of stimulating materials and activities, carefully chosen for their appropriateness to motivate and encourage children. These include water, sand, clay, painting, singing, drama, cooking, dancing, musical appreciation, woodwork and crafts, which are all provided on a regular basis.

• Letter and number work form part of everyday activities and routines; these help to develop the children’s understanding of numeric concepts and literacy skills. For the older children, these areas are addressed more formally to cover early mathematics and language work. ICT equipment, including a computer, offers the children regular access to stimulating programs to develop early computer skills.

• The children’s awareness of their Jewish heritage is encouraged in a number of ways. They learn about all the major Jewish festivals with activities centred on songs, food and varied craft activities. Every week ends with a Shabbat celebration on Friday.

• Parents are considered partners and recognised as the most important educators of their own children. Children’s progress is regularly monitored and discussed with Parents who are invited to join us for regular events such as Shabbat, Seder, Chanukah celebrations and end of year parties.

The nursery has a maximum of 40 children. At least 8 staff are on duty each day. All teachers hold recognised Early Years qualifications.